plate no. 5966

Portrait de Madeleine

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurewomanheadwrapdraperyskin tones

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, headwrap, and drapery.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of yellow ochre and white.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure, focusing on the overall form.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using a limited palette of browns, reds, and yellows.
step 05
Add details to the headwrap, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Develop the drapery, creating a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Achieve realistic skin tones by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and cadmium red light, adjusting the proportions to create variations in value and temperature. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue drapery, and white with a touch of yellow ochre for the headwrap.

techniques